He says Hernandez, who was found hanged in his jail cell, “was not in the frame of the mind” to commit suicide, according to TMZ.

Baez told TMZ Sports that his client was hopeful of overturning the life sentence which he was serving for a 2013 murder.

Former Patriots tight-end Hernandez was found hanged in his prison cell just days after being acquitted of a 2012 double-killing.

The 27-year-old was cleared of the double slaying which was sparked after an argument over a spilled drink at a nightclub, but was still serving a separate life sentence for the murder of Odin Lloyd in 2013.

Hernandez pictured playing for the New England Patriots against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Florida in December 2012

Despite being cleared of the double-slaying, the judge convicted the disgraced NFL star of the unlawful possession of a gun and sentenced him to an additional four to five years in prison, on top of his existing life sentence.

Suffolk District Attorney Daniel Conley said the victims’ families were devastated by the verdicts and by the defence’s portrayal of the men as “gang bangers” and “drug dealers.”

Conley said: “These were two hardworking, humble, Cape Verdean immigrants. It was unnecessary, and it was wrong, and it shouldn’t have been done.”

Conley added prosecutors and the families take solace in the fact Hernandez is serving a life sentence for the killing of Lloyd – who was dating the sister of the sportsman’s fiancee.

Prosecutors in the double murder trial weren’t allowed to mention his conviction in Lloyd’s case.

Hernandez was still serving a life sentence for the 2013 murder of Odin Lloyd when he took his own life

Conley said one of the victims’ relatives said: “At least he’s not walking out the door today.”

The defence team had pointed the finger at Alexander Bradley, a drug dealer and close friend of Hernandez, who was with him the night of the shootings.

The defence hammered at Bradley’s credibility, citing his immunity deal with prosecutors to testify against Hernandez, his role as the driver of their car the night of the shootings and his criminal record.

Bradley is serving a five-year prison term in Connecticut for firing shots at a Hartford nightclub in 2014.

He testified that Hernandez became enraged after De Abreu bumped into him while dancing at the Boston nightclub, spilling his drink.

He said the former New England Patriots tight-end later opened fire on the men’s car as they waited at a stoplight.